分かった
wakatta
In Japanese, "I got it" is expressed as 分かった (wakatta).
This phrase is used to show that you understand something or have grasped a concept. It is specifically used to signal that you have processed a piece of information.
Which one should you use?
While 分かった means "I understood", it is used to signal that you have processed information, whereas the present tense verb 分かる describes the general ability to understand something.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality changes depending on who you are speaking to. For a polite way to say "I understood" when speaking to a teacher, a stranger or a superior, use 分かりました. In a formal setting to convey that you have acknowledged and understood given information, use 承知いたしました。 For casual conversations among peers, or in military and organizational settings, you can use the informal 了解.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 分かった is the past tense of the verb 分かる, which means "to understand".
How do you pronounce it?
wakatta
Did you know?
- In professional business settings, the phrase 承知いたしました is a 'kenjougo' or humble form, which lowers your own status to show respect to the listener.
- Japanese has a specific 'aizuchi' culture where listeners say 分かった or はい constantly during a conversation to prove they are paying attention, which would seem like constant interrupting in English.
- In professional environments, using 了解 (ryōkai) can be seen as too casual or even arrogant if said to a superior, as it implies the speaker is in a position to 'grant' or 'approve' the request.
Examples in context
- 分かったわよ。I got it.This sentence is useful for showing the phrase 分かった in use.Tatoeba #1780336 by Bah_Dure, translation #433472 by CK
- やっと分かった。Yatto wakatta.I finally got it.
- 使い方は分かった？Tsukaikata wa wakatta?Did you understand how to use it?
Example conversation
A student is explaining a math problem to his classmate.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの問題の解き方、分かった？Kono mondai no tokikata, wakatta?Did you understand how to solve this problem?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、分かったよ。Un, wakatta yo.Yeah, I got it.
- 大翔 Hirotoよかった、難しいよね。Yokatta, muzukashii yo ne.Good, it's difficult, isn't it?
- 美咲 Misaki大翔君の説明のおかげだよ。Hiroto-kun no setsumei no okage da yo.It's thanks to your explanation, Hiroto.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
